primary intention: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (C1+)Formal to neutral; common in academic, legal, business, and analytical contexts.
Quick answer
What does “primary intention” mean?
The main or foremost purpose, aim, or goal behind an action or plan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The main or foremost purpose, aim, or goal behind an action or plan.
Can also refer to the fundamental, original, or most important objective, as distinct from secondary or unintended consequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Slight preference for 'main aim' or 'principal objective' in UK English in less formal contexts, while 'primary intention' is equally standard in both.
Connotations
Equally formal and precise in both variants.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in formal writing; slightly more common in American academic/legal texts.
Grammar
How to Use “primary intention” in a Sentence
The primary intention of [NP] is/was to [VP][NP]'s primary intention in [Gerund] is/was [NP/to VP]With the primary intention of [Gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “primary intention” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee primarily intended to review the policy.
- He primarily intends to focus on research.
American English
- The company primarily intended to launch in Q4.
- She primarily intends to relocate.
adverb
British English
- The scheme was primarily intended for pensioners.
- The meeting was primarily intended to share information.
American English
- The fund is primarily intended to support startups.
- The tool is primarily intended for data analysis.
adjective
British English
- The primary intended outcome is clearer regulation.
- His primary intended audience is academics.
American English
- The primary intended use is for educational purposes.
- Their primary intended beneficiary is the community.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in strategy documents: 'The primary intention of the merger is to increase market share.'
Academic
Common in thesis statements and analysis: 'The study's primary intention was to assess the correlation.'
Everyday
Less frequent; used for emphasis: 'My primary intention in calling was to check on you.'
Technical
Used in legal, medical, or software requirement specs to denote primary design goal or motive.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “primary intention”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “primary intention”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “primary intention”
- Using 'principle intention' (incorrect spelling of 'principal').
- Overusing in informal speech where 'main reason' or 'main goal' would suffice.
- Confusing 'primary intention' with 'only intention' – primary allows for others.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Primary' means main or most important, implying there could be other, secondary intentions. 'Only' excludes any other intentions.
It can, but typically it refers to a stated, understood, or discoverable main goal. If the main intention is hidden, phrases like 'ulterior motive' or 'hidden agenda' might be used alongside it.
The most common is '[Possessive] primary intention is/was to [infinitive verb]' (e.g., 'My primary intention was to clarify').
It is significantly more common in formal or semi-formal writing (academic, business, legal). In everyday speech, people tend to use simpler synonyms like 'main goal' or 'main reason'.
The main or foremost purpose, aim, or goal behind an action or plan.
Primary intention is usually formal to neutral; common in academic, legal, business, and analytical contexts. in register.
Primary intention: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpraɪməri ɪnˈtɛnʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpraɪˌmɛri ɪnˈtɛnʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “First and foremost (related in meaning)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRIMARY school – it's the first and main school. PRIMARY intention is the first and main goal.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY (The primary intention is at the top of a pyramid of goals). FOUNDATION (The primary intention is the base upon which actions are built).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'primary intention' LEAST likely to be used?